The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Oneida honors organization for its work
Red Cross Month: Volunteers, officials recognized for community contributions
ONEIDA, N.Y. >> Dreary weather could not put a damper on Oneida honoring the Red Cross and all it does for the community.
Despite the chilly rain, city officials and Red Cross leaders and volunteers gathered outside City Hall to commemorate Red Cross Month with a proclamation from Mayor Leo Matzke.
“I look at the American Red Cross as the lifeblood of us,” Matzke said to those assembled. “I mean this from the bottom of my heart, you’re a great organization.”
“I just want to recognize all the volunteers here today and the work they do for people in need,” said Pat Powers, chairman of the Madison- Oneida Red Cross branch and a member of the Central New York chapter board.
“In the City of Oneida, our local American Red Cross works tirelessly to support us when disaster strikes, when someone needs life-saving blood, or needs the comfort of a helping hand,” Matzke read from his proclamation. “Our community depends on the American
Red Cross and, because it is not a government agency, the Red Cross depends on support from the public to continue its humanitarian work.”
“I just want to thank you for supporting us,” said community volunteer leader Carl Carlstead, who has been with the Red Cross since 1998. He staffs the Oneida office on Vanderbilt Avenue.
Carlstead said that in his years with the Red Cross, he’s been deployed to everything “except a tsunami and an earthquake,” and he plus fellow members Linda and John DePugh assisted at Ground Zero following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. Carlstead said he also helped during the Kosovo crisis, and just last week he and other Red Cross members went out to Rochester to help with wind damage in the city.
The local Red Cross also assists the Oneida Fire Department in installing smoke detectors in homes for free.
In 2016, the Red Cross answered nine calls in Madison County, and 16 calls in 2015. “We’re on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Normally we respond in less than two hours after being notified,” Carlstead said.
“I think it’s great to be recognized in our own community,” said Linda DePugh. She and her husband have been Red Cross volunteers since 1987.
After the proclamation, Carlstead, Powers and other Red Cross volunteers hoisted the Red Cross flag at City Hall to mark Red Cross Month.
“March is Red Cross Month, the perfect time to honor our Red Cross volunteers, blood donors and financial contributors who bring hope to people facing life’s emergencies,” said Rosie Taravella, Regional CEO, Western and Central New York Region. “The Red Cross depends on local heroes to fulfill its mission ... providing shelter, food, emotional support and other necessities to those affected. It provides 24hour support to members of the military, veterans and their families at home and around the world. It trains millions of people in first aid, water safety and other lifesaving skills. And it supports the vaccination of children around the globe against measles and rubella.”
Those interested in joining the Madison- Oneida chapter of the Red Cross can call Carlstead at 315363-2900. The group meets every third Thursday at 7 a.m. at Denny’s.